U-20 World Cup: Nigeria slip to 3rd spot after loss to Brazil
Nigeria slipped to 3rd spot in group D at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup following a 2-0 loss to Brazil in the last group game on Saturday May 27.
Two goals in the closing minutes of the first half were all Brazil needed to win the top of the table clash and send Nigeria down to 3rd place.
Jean Pedroso scored the opening goal with a glancing header from a corner kick in the 43rd minute of the match.
Two minutes later, Marquinos fired through the legs of Flying Eagles goalie Chijioke Aniagboso to put Brazil 2-0 up at halftime.
An improved second half performance by Nigeria was inspired by three substitutions in one swing by Coach Ladan Bosso.
Substitute Haliru Sarki combined effectively with Samson Lawal, Jude Sunday and Emmanuel Umeh to make the Selecao sub-20 labour to seal a 2-0 win at the expiration of regulation time at the Estadio Unico Diego Maradona.
As it stands, Nigeria will wait for the conclusion of group stage matches for confirmation of their place as one of the best third placed teams.
Brazil and Italy meanwhile are through to the last-16 as group D best two with a +7 and +2 goal difference to better the +1 held by the Flying Eagles after a tie on six-points for the three teams.
